Waste disposal apparatus



26,1939.I J H POWERS 2,185,037

WASTE DISPOSAL APPARATUS Filed Nov. 12, 195e 3 sheets-sheet 1 MUNI!lim/enter James H; Pom/e115 His tbovneg.

Dec. 26, 1939. J, POWERS 2,185,037

wAsTE DISPOSAL APPARATUS Filed Nov. 12, v193; 3 sheets-sheet' 21YR/enten z James H. POV/evs,

His Abbou/*neg Dec. 26, 1939. J. H. POWERS WASTE DISPOSAL APPARATUSFiled Nov. 12, 195s s sheets-sheet 5' l lvm/enten l James H. Powers HisAUG owne g.

Patented Dec. 26, 1939 UNITED STATES 2,185,037 WASTE DISPOSAL'APPARATUSA James H. Powers, Fort Wayne, Ind.,y assignor to GeneralElectric Company, a porporation of New York Application November 12,1936, Serial No. 110,489

19 Claims.

The present invention relates to apparatus for disposing of wastematerial and has for a general object the provision of an improvedapparatus for the comminution, by grinding, crushing -or cutting, ofgarbage in the form oi' vegetable matter, meat, bones and the like andof other forms of waste material, and for the flushing of the comminutedmaterial into a sewer system or the like with the aid of water suppliedto the apparatus.

A more specific object of the invention is the provision of improvedmeans for controlling the operation of a power driven waste disposalappliance or similar device.

Another object of the invention is the provision of improved closure orstopper means for a drain opening in a sink or like structure.

For an understanding of other objects of the invention and the detailsof the manner in which the invention is carried out, attention isdirected to the following detailed description taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings in which,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation partially in section, of an exemplary form ofwaste disposal apparatus embodying the present invention andincorporating an electric motor driven grinding machine connected'withthe drain opening of a kitchen sink for receiving therefrom water andmaterial to the ground, and having also an improved stopper or closuredevice arranged for controlling the ow of water from the sink throughthe drain opening and for controlling the operation of the electricmotor; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the sink and thegrinding machine Ashowing the improved closure device seated in thedrain opening ofthe sink; Fig. 3 is an exploded View showing the detailsof construction of one form of the improved stopper or closure device;Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are plan views, partially cut away, illustratingsuccessive steps in the operation of the closure device; Fig. '7 is arear quarter view of the grinding machine showing the control switch forthe electric driving motor and the actuating mechanism for the switch;Figs. 8 and 9 are plan views of a modified formiy of the improvedstopper or closure device and respectively show two different steps inthe operation of the device; Fig. 10 is a sectional side elevation of aportion of the waste disposal apparatus incorporating the modified formof closure device and its cooperating control mechanism; Fig. 11 is arear quarter view of the portion of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 10and showing the mounting of the control switch and the actuatingmechanism therefor; Fig. 12 is a, sectional view oi? the modified formof closure device showing certain deetails of the construction thereof,and Fig. 13 is an exploded view illustrating a protective guard which isincorporated in the apparatus of Fig. 10.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, I0 designates aportion of a kitchen sink or like structure of the basin type adapted tohave water supplied thereto from a faucet II or other suitable watersupply means and having a drain opening in which is seated an adapterring I2. To this ring the casing or housing I3 of an electric motordriven appliance, or grinding machine, is connected, as' best shown inFig. 1, by means of a ilanged ring I4, which engages a flange on theadapter ring, and screw bolts I5 which extend through a flange on theupper end of the casing I3 into screw threaded engagement with theflanged ring I4. A gasket I6 of resilient material is provided betweenthe adapter ring and the rim of the sink drain opening and a similargasket I1, held in place by means of metal ring I8, is provided betweenthe screw bolts I5 and the sink, while a third gasket I9 of resilientmaterial is inserted between the upper end of the casing and the adapterring I2 and the flanged ring I4. These three gaskets serve not only forsealing purposes but also to prevent the transmission of vibration fromthe grinding machine i to the sink structure.

Casing I3 is adapted to serve as a receptacle for the deposit of wastematerial'to be ground and has a lower portion of frustro-conical formproviding a grinding chamber while the upper.

portion of the casing is of cylindrical form to facilitate the feedingof material into the grinding chamber. The lower end of the casing isclosedI by means of a bottom plate 20 which is secured to a flange 2| onthe lower end of the casing by means of bolts 22. Bottom plate 20 andflange 2| are so formed as to provide a drain or discharge conduit 23which is adapted to be connected in any suitable manner, as by means ofa pipe 24, to a sewer system or the like, thus providing forthe flushingof water and comminuted material from the casing into the sewer systemor the like.

' In the bottom of the casing I3 are provided a rotatable cutter andcrusher element, generally designated 21, and a stationary cutterelement, generally designated 26, which are arranged for cooperation togrind, cut or crush material in the lower or grinding chamber portion ofthe casing. Rotatable cutter 21 is mounted upon a supporting disk 26 anda strainer disk 29 and is connected by means of drive shaft 39 forrotation by electric motor 3i which may be supported in any suitablemanner as by means of a pedestal 32 mounted on either a floor or wallstructure. The details of the construction and mounting of the rotatablecutter and crusher element and the connections and mounting of the motorare not essential to an understanding oi' the present invention, but afull description thereof is to be found ii' desired in the copendingapplication of Adalbert Alexay, Serial- No. 71,156, tiled March 27,1936, which became Patent No. 2,156,075 on April 25, 1939, and isassigned to the assignee of the present invention. Stationary cutterelement 26 in the illustrated` embodiment is arranged in a lateralrecess in the side wall of the lower portion of casing IS, the 'outerwall of the recess being formed by a removable cover plate 83. Thiscutter comprises a toothed cutting member or knife 34 secured in anysuitable. manner to a movable holder plate 35. A pair of compressionsprings 33 and 3l, disposed in recesses in the back of the plate 35 andpressing against the cover plate 33, serve to force the toothed face ofmember 34 into cooperative relation with the rotatable cutter 2T in thegrinding chamber. Forward movement of the cutter is limited at the topby the pressure of the upper end of plate 35 against a flange 36 formedon the wall of casing I3 and at the bottom by means of adjusting screwsi) which extends through the cover plate 33 and has a iianged headengaging a iianged recess in the back of the plate 35. Due to thecooperative action of the flange 33, adjusting screw 40 with its head4I, and springs 36 and 37, the toothed cutting face of member 34 ismaintained substantially parallel with a generatrix of the inner surfaceof the frustro-conical grinding chamber portion of the casing in orderto facilitate the grinding operation in the manner described in detailinthe previously referred to Alexay patent. Springs 33 and 37 serve notonly to maintain the cutting face in proper relation to rotatable cutter21 but also to substantially absorb any vibration of the plate 35 duringoperation of the apparatus and thereby to minimize the transmission ofsuch vibration to the casing. In order further to insure againsttransmission of vibration from plate 35 to the casing, the upper end ofthe plate is provided with one or more inserts 42 of resilient materialwhich bear against the ange 33 and act as shock absorbers to minimizetransmission of vibration at this point. Adjusting screw 40 provides foradjustment of the outward movement of the cut' ter element 26 if desiredfor any reason, as, for example, to compensate for wear on the teeth ofmember 34.

The comminution of material by the apparatus illustrated is accomplishedin a manner substantially the same as that described in detail inconnection with the apparatus forming the subject matter of thepreviously referred to patent of Adalbert Alexay and will not bereviewed herein except to point out that upon energization of motor 3lin a manner to be described hereinafter, the cutter element 21 is set inrotation through drive shaft 30 and cooperates with stationary cutter 26to grind, cut and crush materials supplied thereto and to reduce thematerial to a fineness which will pass the strainer disk 29 and besuitable for discharge vthrough the conduit 23 and pipe 24 to the sewersystem or the like. 'Ihe grinding, cutting and crushing operations andthe discharge of the comminuted material'into the sewer system aregreatly facilitated by water supplied to the grinding chamber.

Energization of motor 3| is controlled by means of a suitable switchingmechanism, the details of which are not essential to an understanding ofthe present invention. accommodated in a box 45 mounted on the side ofthe casing I3. In Figs. 1 and 7, 48 designates a conduit for properwiring connections to the motor and to a source of electric supply. Theswitching mechanism includes a switch arm 41 which upon movement intotheposition illustrated in solid lines in' Fig. 7 and designated "Off iseffective to cause deenergization of motor 3i and which upon movementinto the position illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 7 and designatedOn is effective to cause the switching mechanism to energize motor 3 I.Arm 4l is arranged for actuation by a lever 48 which is connectedthrough pivot shaft 49 for actuation by trip lever 50. Lever 56 isdisposed on the inside `of the cylindrical portion of casing I3 and isshielded from material fed through the sink opening by means of aninwardly projecting flange I formed on the upper end of casing I3. Pivotshaft 49 extends through the wall of the casing and is effectivelysealed by means of suitable packing 52 and packing nut 53. At the upperend of lever 53 are provided two ears 54 and 65 for a purpose to bepointed out hereinafter. It will be evident from an inspection of Fig. 7that movement of the upper end of trip lever 50 with its ears 54 and 55to the right causes movement of the lower end of lever 48, and therebyof switch arm 4l, to the left thus causing energization of motor 3| torotate the cutter element 21.

In accordance with a feature of the present invention, an improvedclosure or stopper device is provided for the sink drain opening. Aswill be seen most clearly from Fig. 3, this device comprises acylindrical cup-shaped plug member 56 having apertures 51 in the bottomthereof spaced approximately 90 from each other, a bailie plate 58mounted on the bottom of the plug member, and an operating handle 5S.Member 56 is adapted to seat removably in the opening provided by theadapter ring I2 and is provided with a guide recess 60 in one sidethereof which is arranged to cooperate with a lug 6I formed on the innersurface of the adapter ring to insure the proper seating of the member56 in the opening and to prevent rotation of the member when in theopening. Cup-shaped member 56 has also an outwardly slanting ange or rim62 which is arranged toseat snugly upon a ledge 62 formed in the adapterring I2. Adjacent the center of the cup-shaped member there is providedan upwardly projecting circular boss 63 for the support of the handle 59and having a central opening 64 in the top thereof for the accommodationof the partially circular extension 65 projecting downwardly from thehandle. The handle is adapted to rotate with respect to the cup-shapedmember and the rotation thereof is limited by the engagement of pin 66,carried by the handle, with the slot 61 formed on one side of theopening 64 in the cup-shaped member.

Baille plate 58 is arranged to be mounted on the bottom of cup-shaped`member 56 and has an upwardly projecting boss 63 arranged to trotatably in the boss 63 of the cup-shaped member and provided with anopening 69 having two ilat sides arranged to engage the iiat sides 'I0of the extension 65 of handle 59. Plate 58 is secured rigidly to handle59 by means of a ring 1| which ts over the lower end oi' extension l5and snugly engages the interior of boss 88 and which is held tightly inplace by means ot a'washer 12, which in turn is fastened in any suitablemanner as by means of a screw or, as indicated at 18 in Fig. l, by meansof riveting or spinning over of the lower end of extension 85. Thus, thehaine plate is constrained to move wtih handle Il and is rotatable withrespect to the cup-shaped member 56. The rim 82 has marked thereon thelegends Drain, Seal" and Unit", respectively, spaced approximately 45from each other. and handle 58 has a pointer 14 which, upon rotation ofthe handle. and thereby the bai'lie plate 58, indicates the position ofthe baille plate. This last mentioned plate is provided with apertures15 spaced 90 from each other and arranged to register with the apertures51 in the cup-shaped memberV 58 when pointer 14 indicates either Drain"or Unit, while the plate is arranged to close apertures 51 when thepointer .indicates Seal.

` Batllel plate 58 is provided also with a notch 15 arranged to be inalinement with the recess 5|) in the cup-shaped member 55 only whenpointer 14 indicates Drain. By this means it is insured that the stopperdevice can be inserted into the opening in adapter ring I2 only whenpointer 14 is turned to Drain since otherwise the rim of baille plate 58will engage the lug 8| and prevent seating of the cup-shaped member inthe opening. Moreover, if while the cup-shaped member is seated in theopening, the handle is turned so that the pointer indicates either"Seal" or Unit, a portion od the rim of the baille plate engages theunderneath surface of lug 8| and prevents removal of the stopper devicefrom the opening. Also, as will be seen best from Fig. 4, the batheplate is mounted eccentrically for rotation about a center a which isoiset withrespect to the true center b of the .plate and the cylindricalcupshaped member so that upon rotation of the handle andbaie plate in acounterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 4, a portion of the rim ofthe baille plate will swing outwardly into engagement with theunderneath surface of the flange 5| on the upper end of casing I3 tothereby aid the lug 6| in effectively locking the stopper device in theopening in the adapter ring. Thus it is rendered impossible to removethe stopper device when the plate is in the positions illustrated inFigs. 5 and 6 wherein the pointer 14 indicates Seal and Unitrespectively.

As will be seen from Figs. 1 and 4, when the cup-shaped drain plug 56 isproperly seated in the opening in adapter ring I2 and pointer 14indicates Drain, the edge of baille plate 58 is in close proximity tothe upper end of lever 50 but does not engage the lever since the rim ofthe baille plate, when the latter is in lDl'ain position, does notproject beyond the rim of the cup-shaped plug. A portion of the rim ofthe baille plate, extending from a point substantially opposite lever 50when the plate is in "Drain position to a point approximately 90therefrom in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 4, is cut backspirally with respect to the true center b of the plate or, in otherwords. is formed as an arc of a circle having the point a as its center.By reason of this cutting back, the rim of the plate is not brought intoengagement with the lever 50 during rotation of the plate 90 in acounterclockwise direction from its Drain position, in spite of theeccentric mounting oi.'4 the plate. However. the spirally cut-backportion of the rim of the plate is provided with an arm 11 projectingoutwardly therefrom and arranged to engage one or the other of the ears54 and 55 of lever 58 after rotation of the plate approximately Normallyear 55 of the lever 5|! extends vertically upward, as best shown in Fig.7, so that lever 48 is in position to maintain switch arm 41 in "Off"position. Rotation of handle 59 from the position wherein pointer 14indicates "Drain through approximately 45 to the position wherein thepointer indicates Seal, as illustrated in Fig. 5, does not bring anypart of the baille plate into engagement withthe ear 55.

However, rotation of the handle a further 45 until pointer 14 indicatesUnit, as illustrated, in Fig. 6, causes projection 11 to engage ear 55and move the upper end of lever 50 to the right to the positionillustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 7, thus effecting movement of thelower end of lever 48 to the left, to its position also illustratedcauses the projection 11 to engage ear 54, which vhas been brought intovertical position by previous movement of ear 55 out of verticalposition, to thereby effect movement of lever 50 to the left as viewedin Fig. '1, causing the lower end oi.' lever 48 to move to the right andoperate switch arm 41 into Off position to cause deenergization of motor3|. Hence, the motor 3| and rotatable cutter 21 are inoperative whenpointer 14 indicates either Drain or Seal and are rendered operativeupon movement of the pointer to indicate Unit,

In the operation of the device for the disposal of garbage in the formof vegetables, meat, bones,

vand the like, papers or other waste material, the

'disposed of is deposited in the grinding chamber o1 the casing orreceptacle I3. The stopper device is then replaced in the adapter ringopening, care being taken that the notch 16 in baffle plate 58 is inalinement'with the recess 60 in the cup-shaped plug 56 so as to pass thelug 6| and permit proper seating of the stopper device. Water may thenbe supplied to the sink, as by means of faucet and permitted to flowthrough the apertures 51 in the cup-shaped drain plug and through theapertures 15 in baffle plate 58 into` the grinding chamber to wet thematerial therein, it being remembered from previous description thatwhen notch 16 is in alinement with recess 60 the apertures 15 in thebaille plate are in alinement with the apertures 51 in the plug topermit'flow of water therethrough. Then in order to start the operationof the apparatus, handle 59 is turned in a counterclockwise direction,as viewed in Fig. 4, from the position wherein pointer 14 indicatesDrain to the position wherein the pointer indicates Unit". By this meansthe projection 11 on baiile plate 58 is rotated into engagement with ear55von lever 5D to thereby effect operation of the levers 50 and 48 toactuate switch arm 41 into On" position and cause energization of motor3| to rotate the cutting element 21.

plate 58 are again in registry with apertures 51 in the cup-shaped plugto permit theflow of water from the sink into the grinding chamber toaid the cutting elements 26 and 21 in comminuting the material in thegrinding chamber and also to aid in flushing the comminuted material outof the grinding chamber and into the sewer system through dischargeconduit 23 and pipe 26. Also, as previously pointed out, the stopperdevice is securely locked in the adapter ring opening when the pointeris turned to the position designated Unit to effect operation of thecutting, grinding and crushing means since the rim of baille plate 58 isthen in engagement with lug 6I and ange 5I, thereby insuring againstremoval of the stopper device from the opening and protecting theoperator or anyone else from accidentally or carelessly reaching intothe'grinding chamber during rotation of the rotatable cutter 2l.

If. during operation of the apparatus, handle 59 is turned so that itspointer 14 indicates Seal with the result that apertures 51 are closedby means of baffle plate 58 to prevent the new of water into thegrinding chamber, the motor 3i is immediately deenergized through theengagement of projection 'il with ear 5B to cause the levers 58 and 8 toactuate switch arm ai into Off position. Thus it is insured that theelements 26 and 2l. are rendered inoperative to perform their grinding,cutting and crushing functions when no water is being supplied theretoto facilitate these functions.

A further advantage of the Seal" position of the baffle plate 58 is thatby means thereof the drain opening of the sink may be eectively closedto prevent drainage of water'therethrough and permit the iilling of thesink with water for any 'desired purpose.

Turning of handle 59 to the position in which its pointer lil indicatesDrain permits the removal of the closure device from the adapter ringopening, if desired, or permits the use of the cup-shaped plug simply asa strainer plate to allow the ilow of water from the sink to the sewersystem while preventing the accidental passage of any articles ormaterials from the sink into the casing I3.

A further advantage of the apparatus hereinbefore described is that itis possible to render the motor operative without employing the improvedclosure device due to the accessibility of the lever 5i) through theopening in the adapter ring I2. Under certain circumstances, such asservicing of the apparatus by a competent service man, this may prove tobe highly advanta geous. However, due to the positioning of the lever 50there is little likelihood of its being operated carelessly or tamperedwith by children. On the other hand, if it is desired to render thelever 50 more inaccessible and to better protect it from material fedthrough the opening in housing or casing I0, this may be accomplished bymeans of a safety guard member such as that designated in Fig. 13 andwhich is shown in Figs. 9, l0 and 11 as being applied to the modied formof the apparatus thereinillustrated. In the exemplary form illustrated,the guard member is constructed of sheet metal and has two upwardlyprojecting arms 8| which have V-shaped portions 82 on the upper endsthere of arranged to be wedged into V-shaped slots 83 oi' recesses 84provided in the inwardly projecting flange 5I at the top of casing I3.'Thus provision is made for rmly holding the upper end of the guardmember in place while the lower end of the guard member Iis providedwith a hook-shaped portion 85 arranged to engage a `flanged projection86 on the inner wall of the housing below lever 50 to rmly hold thelower end 'of the guard member in place. A space 81 is left between thearms 8| in order that the upper end of the lever may be engaged by theactuating mechanism of the improved stopper vor closure device. Itwlllfbe evident, therefore, from the drawings that the solid portions ofthe guard member in cooperation with the overhanging rim 5I rendersmanual access to the lever relatively diiicult and also effectivelyshields the lever from material fed through the casing opening.

In Figs. 8 to 11 inclusive are illustrated certain modifications of theclosure or stopper'device and the control mechanism hereinbeforedescribed. An adapter ring 80 is provided in the drain or like openingof the sink structure I8 for the attachment thereto of the casingl I8 ofthe waste disposal apparatus in a manner similar to that described inconnection with the adapter ring I2 of the first embodiment. IRing Q isadapted to form a seat for the modled form of closure or stopper devicewhich comprises essentially a cylindrical cup-shaped plug member 9i, acircular plate member 92 and an actuating handle 93. Two opposite sidesof the plug member are beveled inwardly at the bottom as shown at St,these beveled portions have substantially plane surfaces arranged toengage inwardly slanting substantially plane surfaces of ledges 95formed on two opposite sides of the f inner wall of adapter ring 90. Byreason of the cooperative engagement of the beveled portions 913 and theledges 85, proper positioning of the plug member is insured and rotationof the plug member is prevented when it is seated in the adapter ringopening. A

The circular flat baille plate 92 is held in contact with the fiatbottom wall of the plug member SI by means of pins 98 which extenddownwardly from handle 93 through arcuate slots 91 in the bottom wall ofthe plug member and which are suitably fastened to the plate as forexample by riveting over of the ends of the pins as shown at S8. Handle83 has a pivot pin |00 engaging an opening in the center of the bottomwall of the plug member, and the handle as well as the circular plateare arranged to rotate about the axis of the cup-shaped plug member andnot eccentrically with respect thereto as in the previously describedembodiment. Compression springs IUI are placed in depressionssurrounding pins 96 and by their engagement with the seats of thedepressions and with washers IU2 which in turn bear against the bottomwall of the cup-shaped member, serve to maintain the plate member 92 infirm engagement with the bottom surface of the bottom wall of the plugmember while at the same time providing for free rotation of the handleand plate without binding thereof against said bottom wall.l

Slots 91 extend over a suilicient arc to provide for rotation of thehandle 45 in either a clock- ,wise or a counterclockwise direction fromits midposition, illustrated in Fig. 8, Whereat the handle indicates"Seal. Movement of the handle beyond the 45 limit in each direction ispre.. vented by engagement of the pins 96 with' the respective ends ofthe slots 91. The bottom wall of the plug member has also four aperturesI 03 respectively arranged apart upon acircle having a radius less thanthat of the slots 91 and two of the apertures |03 are disposed on twoopposite sides of the center of the vplug member and on a line whichpasses through this center and midpoints of the two slots 81. Platemember 92 also has four similarly disposed apertures |04 which arearranged to be in non-alinement with the apertures |03 whenythe handleis in its midposition indicating fSeal, as shown in Fig. 8, and to be inalinement with the apertures |03 when the handle and plate member areturned 45 in either a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction, as forexample, to the position wherein the handle indicates Unit oridrain asillustrated in Fig. 9. Plate member 92 has also two arcuate slots |05respectively disposed attwo opposite sides of the plate andsubstantially the same radial distance from the ,center of the plate asare the slots l|11 in the plug member. Slots |05 are so arranged that-when the handle and plate are in the midposition illustrated in Fig..8, they are in non-alinement vwith the slot 91 while uponv rotation ofthe handle and plate in either a clockwise or a counterclockwisedirection from this midposition, as for example to the Unit on--drain"position illustrated in Fig. 9, portions of the slots |05 come intoalinement with portions of the slots 91.

illustrated in Fig. 8, solid portions of the plate are in alinement withapertures |03 and slots 91 to block or seal the same and thereby preventdrainage of water therethrough while upon rotation of the handle andplate to either the Unit on--drain or Unit oi-drain positions theapertures |04 are brought into alinement with the apertures |03 andportions of the slots |05 are brought into alinement with portions ofthe slots 91 so as to permit drainage of water through the bottom of thecup-shaped drain plug from the sinkor like structure into the casing ofthe waste disposal appliance.

In order that the operation of the drlvingmotor oi' the appliance aswell as the ow of water through the drain plug may be controlled byrotation of handle 93 and plate 92, arcuate recesses |06 are provided inthe rim of the plate at two opposite sides thereof. These recesses areso arranged that when handle 93 is in its midpositlon, the midpoints oithe recesses are in substantial alinement with the midpoints of thebeveled portions 94 of .drain plug 9| so that they will pass the ledges95 on the inner surface of the adapter ring 90 and permit proper seatingof the drain plug in the adapter ring opening. Also when the handle isin its midpositlon the midpoint of one of these recesses issubstantially directly opposite lever which in the presently describedmodiiled embodiment has only one prong or ear |01 rather than two prongsor ears as in the ilrst described embodiment. At both ends of each ofthe recesses |06 there are provided downwardly projecting lugs |08.These lugs are so arranged that upon rotation of the handle and theplate 45 in a counterclockwise direction to the position designated Uniton-drain, the portion of the plate at the right-hand end, as viewed inFig. 9, of the recess |06 which is opposite lever 50, projects throughthe open space 81 in guard member 80 so that the lug |08 on thisprojecting portion of the plate engages the ear |01 of lever 50 to movecausing movement of the lower end of lever 48 `to the left to actuateswitch arm 41 to its On position and effect energization of motor 3| todrive the grinding mechanism in casing 3. Under these circumstances theelements of the improved closure or stopper device are in their Hence itwill be seen that when the handle and plate are in their midpositlonpositions illustrated in Fig. 9 wherein portions of the rim of plate 92are shown as engaging they sition described in the preceding paragraph,

wherein the closure device is locked in the drain opening, but also foroperation of the apparatus with the handle turned back to the Sealposition so that the closure device may be removed from the drainopening. This is accomplished in that when the handle is turned 45 in aclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 8 to the Seal position,subsequently to its having been turned in the counterclockwise directionto the Unit on-drain position, 4no portion of plate 02 is brought intoengagement with ear |01 of lever 50 to operatethe lever to effectdeenergization of motor 3|. With the handle in the midpositlon theclosure device may be removed from the adapter ring opening since, aspreviously pointed out the recesses |06 are then opposite the ledges 95so that they do not lock the closure device in the adapter ring opening.Under these conditions waste material to be disposed oi' by theapparatus may be fed continuously into the casing i3 through the adapterring or drain opening,jcare being taken not t`o overload the grindingmechanism, and water for aid in the comminuting and flushing of thematerial may then pass from the sink or like structure directly into thecasing through the drain opening. It is to be understood that thislatter may be accomplished only after the handle has iirst been turnedin a counterclockwise direction to the Unit on-drain" position andsubsequently turned back to the Seal position. Such operation of theapparatus with continuous feeding of material to be ground thereto mayunder certain conditions prove highly advantageous but in such case caremust be exercised by the operator that he does not reach into the casingi3 and come in contact with the grinding and cutting mechanism.

When the stopper or closure device is seated in the adapter ring openingand the apparatus is in operation, the driving motor 3| may bedeenergized by rotation of handle 93 in a clockwise direction, either 90from the Unit ondrain position illustrated in Fig. 9 or 45 from the Sealposition illustrated in Fig. 8, to the Unit oil`drain" position. By thismeans the lug |08 at the left-hand end of the slot |06 which is oppositelever 50 as viewed in Fig. 9, is brought into engagement with the ear|01 of lever 50 to move the lever to the left to its positionillustrated in Fig. 11, thereby eiecting movement of switch arm 41 toits Off position to deenergize the motor. Also, with the handle in "Unitoil-drain position, the closurel device may be used simply as a drainplate in the manner hereinbefore described. Then subsequent rotation ofthe handle back to Seal permits removal of the closure device or, ifdesired, permits the use oi the device simply as avstopper for closingthe drain opening in the sink or like structure as pointed out inconnectim with the rst embodiment described, since when the handle is inSeal posltionthe drain apertures |03 and slots 91 in the drain plug areclosed by solid portions of the baillle plate 92.

The modified form of the closure device has, in addition to theadvantages previously pointed out, the advantage that due to theconstruction of the 4baiiie plate 02 including a reinforcing rib ll0disposed around the bottom thereof and passing in proximity to the inneredges of the recesses I 06 and including also the reinforced lugs |08for engaging lever 50, and due to the manner of attaching the plate tothe handle at two spaced apart points on opposite sides of the center ofthe plate, great rigidity is secured and the chances of buckling of thebaille plate so that it would not properly engage lever 50 are renderednegligible. The manner of attaching the plate to the handle has also theadvantage thatl it insures good leverage end renders very easy theturning of the plate to actuate the lever 50. A further advantage of themodlfled form of the closure device is that, due to the symmetry ofarrangement of its various parts, it may be installed in the adapterring opening in either of two positions, displaced apart with respect toeach other, and the closure device will operate equally effectively ineither of the two positions to performthe functions for which it isdesigned. l

From the foregoing description it will be evident that the presentinvention provides an improved form of waste disposal'apparatus havingcontrol means which is extremely flexible for accomplishing the desiresof an operator and which effectively minimizes the chances of injury toan operator or anyone else due to careless or ignorant manipulation, andwhich at the same time is simple in construction and arrangement andmost conveniently located for ease in controlling the operation of theapparatus. It will be evident also that the invention is not limited tothe details of the exemplary embodiments illustrated and ydescribedherein but on the contrary is subject to modification to adapt theapparatus for various installation conditions which may be encountered,and that certain features of the invention lend themselves withadvantage to other than kitchen or domestic applications with sinks orlike structures. Hence, such other modications or applications as do notdepart from the true spirit and scope of the' invention are intended tobe covered by the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates, is:

1. A waste disposal apparatus comprising a sink or like structureadapted to have water supplied thereto and having a drain opening, areceptacle connected to the sink and having a passage in communicationwith said opening for admitting water and waste material to thereceptacle, power driven means operable for comminuting material in thereceptacle, means for the discharge of comminuted material and waterfrom the receptacle, control means for rendering said power driven meansoperative and inoperative, a removable stopper device for said openingoperable selectively for closing the opening to prevent drainage ofwater therethrough from said sink and for affording a passage for saiddrainage of water, means carried by said stopper device and selectivelyoperable, when the stopper device is in said opening, for effectingoperation alsace? of said control means to render said power drivenmeans operative and inoperative. and means operative automatically tolock said stopper deviceagainst removal from said opening upon operationof said control means to render said ,5'

- to seat removably in said housing opening and having means selectivelyoperable. when the stopper device is seated in the housing opening, forcontrolling the flow vof water through the housing openinginto saidreceptacle, and actuating means carried by said stopper device andoperable. when the stopper device is seated in said housing opening. toa plurality of positions for eifecting selective operation of saidcontrol .25 means to render said power driven means operative andinoperative andfor selectively operating said ow controlling means.

3. In combination, a housing providing a receptacle for material to beground and having .30 an opening providing access to the interior ofsaid receptacle, power driven means operable for grinding material insaid receptacle. a closure device adapted to be disposed removably inposition to close said opening, control mechanism for said power drivenmeans including a part disposed adjacent said opening. and a controlactuating element carried by said closure deviceand cooperativelyengageable with said part only when the closurev device is in positionto close said opening. said actuating element being movable to aplurality of diierent positions relative to the closure device forcooperation with said part. when the closure device is in position toclose said opening. to eect selective operation of said controlmechanism to render said power driven means operative and inoperative.

4. In combination.l a housing providing a rel ceptacle for material tobe ground and having an opening providing access to the interior oi said.o receptacle, power driven means operable for grinding material in saidreceptacle, a removable closure device for said opening, an actuatingelement carried by said closure deviceand movable relative thereto, andcontrol mechanismI for said power driven means including a controlelement disposed in said housing adjacent said opening for engagement bysaid actuating element when the closure device is in lposition to closesaid opening, said control element being operable to two dierentpositions for rendering said power driven means operative andinoperative respectively, and said actuating element being movable, whensaid closure device is in position to close said opening, forselectively enecting operation of said control element to render thepower driven means operative and inoperative.

5. In combination, a housing providing a receptacle for material to beground and having a material admission opening providing access to 70the interior oi' said receptacle. power drivenl means operable forgrinding material in said receptacle. a removable closure device forsaid opening, control mechanism for said power driven means including acontrol element disu' /afi'emovable closure device for said opening,control means including an element of said closure posed in said housingadjacent said opening and tion -of/sid controlling means to render theoperable selectively for rendering said power power/driven meansoperative. driven means operative and inoperative, an actu- /1/0. Incombination, a housing defining a grindating element carried by saidclosure device ene/lng chamber having an opening for affording gageablewith said control element and operabl= access thereto; power` drivenmeans for grinding when the closure device is in position to cl/osematerial in said chamber; control means opersaid opening, for eiectingselective operaon of able to render said power driven means operativethe control element to render said wer driven and inoperative; aremovable closure device for means operative yand inoperative, and guardsaid'openlng having means cooperative with said means positioned toshield said control element control means and selectively operable, whenthe from accidental contact by/n operator or material passingthrough/said opening when said to render said power driven meansoperative and closure device is re/mo/ved from the opening. inoperative;and locking means operative de- 6. In a wast/e "disposal apparatus, acasing pendently upon operation of said selectively ophavingpower/driven means for grinding waste erable means, positively to locksaid closure dematerial therein, means providing an opening vice andprevent removal thereof from closing affording/access to the interior ofsaid casing for position relative to said opening upon operationthe/feeding of material to be ground. thereinto, of said selectivelyoperable means to render said power driven means operative; said lockingmeans being operative to release said closure device, which said elementis selectively operdevice dependently upon operation of said selecable,when the closure device is in closing relation tively operable means torender said power driven to said opening, for rendering said powerdriven means inoperative. means operative and inoperative,- and meansco- 11. In combination, a casing having pOWer operative with saidcontrol means automatically driven means therein and having an openingto iock said closure device against removal from `arranged to beconnected in substantial registry said opening upon operation of thecontrol means with a drain opening in a sink or like structure to rendersaid power driven means operative. for admitting water from the sink orlike struc- 7. In combination, a casing having means ture to saidcasing, control mechanism for said operable for grinding materialtherein and havpOWer driVen Ineens including e COntrOl ectuating ingmeans providing an opening affording access element disposed adjacentsaid casing Opening, to the interior of the casing, a removable closurean apertured member arranged to seat removably device for said opening,controlmeans .for said in said casing Opening, e baffle plate Carried bygrinding means including a control actuating said member and movablerelative thereto into element supported adjacent said opening and eplurality f pOSitiOnS including e pOSitiOn fOr operable selectively forrendering the grinding clOSlng the apertures ln Seid member. means meansoperative and inoperative, an element supcarried by Said member fOrInOVing Seid baille ported by said closurev device for movementrelaplate and Ineens mcunted for movement with tive thereto andarrangedto engage said control Said baille plate and engegeeble WithSaid conactuating element for operating the same when trOl actuatingelement fOr Operating the same said closure device is in position toclose said upon movement 0f the baffle plate relative to opening, andmeans arranged t0 cooperate with Said member into predetermined ones ofits Said said second mentioned element automatically to positions. locksaid closure device in said opening when said 12- In a waste disposalapparatus. the comcontrol actuating element is operated by said blnaticnWith d receptacle having an Opening second eiement to render thegrinding means providing for access to Vthe interior thereof, operative.grinding means in the receptacle, a motor for 8. In combination, al sinkor' likestructure driving the grinding means and control mechahaving adrain opening, a power operated device niSIn fOr the InctOr, 0f aInOVeJble element diS- having a chamber connected with said openingPOSed adjacent Said casing Openlngend ccnfor receiving water from saidsink or like strucnected fOr actuating Seid COntrOl mechanism. a turethrough said opening, control means for said closure member adapted toseat removably in power operated device and a removable stopper Saidcasing Opening and having apertures therein. device for said drainopening having means en apertured plate member carried by Saidcloselectively operable,`when said stopper device is Sure member andmovable relative thereto into in said opening, for effecting operationof said a plurality 0f pOSitiOnS including at least one control means torender thepower Operated de.. position wherein the plate member isoperative vice operative and noperative to close the apertures in theclosure member and 9. In combination a sink or like structure havatleast one other position Wherin the 9439.1" ing a drainfopening therein,a casing connected tures in the platemembel are m Substantlal to saidsink or like structure and having power registry with the apertures inthe closure mem' driven means therein, means including said ber andmeans earned by sind plate member en' l gageable with said controlactuating element for opening providing for access to the interior of tith t f 1 said casing and for the admission of water from opera rig esame upon movemen o sa d plate th k 1k t t t ,d d member relative tosaid closure member into pree Sm or l e s rflc ure o sal p owelf nvendetermined ones of its said plurality of positions. means, means carriedby said casing operable 13. In a waste disposal apparatus, the comforcontrolling the operation of said power driven bination of a sink orlike structure adapted to means, a removable stopper device for saidopenhave water supplied thereto and having a drain ing having `meansoperable, when "the Stopper opening, means providing a receptacle forwaste device iS li Said Opening, fOr selectively effecting material anda, passage communicating with said operation of said controlling meansto render Said pOWer drVenmeenS Operative and incperafrom said structureto said receptacle, power tive, and means operative automatically tolock driven means for comminuting waste material in said stopper devicein said opening upon operasaid receptacle, an apertured strainer elementclosure device is in position to close said opening,

opening for conducting wat'er and waste material selectively operablemeans is in another of its adapted to seat removably in said opening.control mechanism for said power ,driven means including a controlelement disposed in said -passage adjacent said opening and operableselectively for rendering the power driven means operative andinoperative, and an actuating element carried by said strainer elementengageable with said control element and operable, when the strainerelement is seated in said opening, rfor actuating said control element.

14. A waste disposal apparatus including in combination a sink or likestructure adapted to have water supplied thereto and having a drainopening. a receptacle connected with said drain opening for receivingwater from said sink or like structure. power driven means forcomminuting waste material in said receptacle, a closure device for saiddrain opening having means operable selectively vinto at least. oneposition for preventing drainage of water through said opening from saidsink or like structure and into at least two other positions forpermitting such drainage of water, and control means for said powerdriven comminuting means cooperas tive with said selectively operablemeans for rendering the comminuting means operative when the selectivelyoperable means is in one of its said ow permitting positions and forrendering the comminuting means inoperative when the said flowpermitting positions.

15. A waste disposal apparatus including in combination a sink or likestructure adapted to have water supplied thereto and having a drainopening, a receptacle connected withv said drain opening for receivingwater from said sink or like structure, vpower driven means forcomminuting waste material in said receptacle, control means for saidpower driven means. an apertured drain member in said drain opening, abaille member cooperatively associated with said drain member formovement into a plurality o! positions including at least one positionfor closing the apertures in the drain member and at least two otherpositions for opening the apertures in the drain member, and means'movable with said baille member for operating said control means torender said comminuting means operative upon movement of the baillemember into a predetermined one of its said aperture opening positionsand for operating the control means to render the comminuting meansinoperative upon movement of the baille member into anotherpredetermined one of its said plurality of positions.

16. The combination with a sink or like struc- .ture adapted to havewater supplied thereto and I drainage of water through the opening fromsaid sink or like structureand ior permitting said drainage of water,actuating means for said closure means movable into a plurality ofpositions including at least one position for operating the closuremeans to prevent drainage of water through said opening and at least twoother positions for operating the closure means to permit drainage oi'water through said opening, and control means tor said power drivenmeans conaisaosv l nected for operation by 'said actuating means torender thefpower driven means operative when the actuating means is inone oi its said other positions andato render the power driven means\\inoperative when theiactuating means is in another oi its said otherpositions.

17. In combination, s sink or like structure adapted to have watersupplied thereto, means providing s. passage ior drainage oi water fromsaid structure, a waste disposal appliance including a chamber connectedfor receiving water through said passage from said structure and power'driven means operable for comminuting waste material in said chamber,valve means in saidpassage including an element movable to two dierentpositions in the passage, each of which positions permits drainage oiwater `from said strecture, and control means for the power drivingmeans oi said appliance operative to render said power driving meansoperative in response to movement oi' said element to one of its saidtwo positions. said control means ,being inoperative to render saidpower driving means oper- 'ative upon movement of said element to theother oi its said two positions.

18. The combination with a sink or like structure adapted to have watersupplied thereto and having a drain opening, and a power drivenappliancev connected for receiving water through said drain opening-from said sink or like structure, of control mechanism for the powerdriving means oi said appliance including a control element disposedadjacent said drain opening and y operable for rendering said powerdriving means operative and inoperative, 'an apertured strainer elementdisposed in said drain opening, a baille element supported for movementrelative to said strainer element to a plurality of positions includingpositions for selectively controlling the flow oi water through theapertures in said strainer element, and control actuating -meansoperatively associated with said baille element for movement therewithand engageable with said control element i'or eiiecting selectiveyoperation of the control element in response to movement of the baileelement, to certain of its said plurality oi' positions. Y

19. A combined drain closure and control actuating device i'or use witha' power operated appliance which is adapted to be connected'- with thedrain opening oi' a sink or the like for receiving water therefrom andwhich appliance has control means including a control operating ele-vment arranged to be located adjacent such drain opening; said devicecomprising an apertured strainer member adapted to seat removably in adrain opening of a sink or the like, a handle disposed on the upper sideof said member to be accessible from such sink or the like and havingspaced apart projections respectively extending through substantiallyconcentric arcuate slots in said member, a baille plate disposed on thelower side of said member and attached to said proiections, and meansfor maintaining said baiiie plate in iirm slidable engagement with theunderneath surface of said member, said plate being rotatable by saidhandle selectively to operate the plate into and out of closing relationto the apertures in said member and having means engageable with saidcontrol operating element for selective actuation of said element. i

.mime n. Powiizas.l

